Join the movement for girls’ rights

Around the world, including here in Australia, girls still don’t have equal rights – and that has to change. That’s why we’re standing with young people as they campaign on the issues that matter most to them, from child marriage and trafficking to street harassment and sexual exploitation at work. Join us.

Yes, I’ll join the fight for equal rights.

Right now, millions of girls are being married as children. Forced out of school. Killed by violence. Half the world’s population is being held back by inequality, but it doesn’t have to be this way. When girls are empowered to speak up, know their rights and lead, they can create a better, more equal world.

A better now for girls, means a better future for everyone.

When girls are educated and supported – their entire family and community benefits, including boys and men. Because gender inequality affects absolutely everyone. By standing with girls and empowering them to speak up, know their rights and lead, we’re working towards a better, more equal world for all. Every day, girls are taking on new issues in their communities and we need your help to stand with them.

By standing with young people to make change, we’ve been part of some huge wins in recent years.

Our campaigning model is simple and, most importantly, youth-led. We work with young people and youth activists around the world to find out what meaningful change would look like in their communities and how it can be achieved. Then with your support, we stand with them as they lead campaigns and lobby those in power to create lasting impact.

We’ve seen girls across the globe change their futures in this way, taking on issues from child marriage to living safely in the world’s cities – including in Melbourne.

But every day, girls are still being discriminated against just for being girls – and we’re still a long way away from achieving gender equality. That’s why we need you to join the movement and stand with young people everywhere in the fight for equal rights.

When girls are treated as equals all children will benefit. We are determined to see a world where all children are valued as equal and the most marginalised children are heard.

Stand with girls today

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Wins and updates

Outlawing child marriage in Malawi

You supported a group of young campaigners who were determined to change the high rates of child marriage in their country – more than half of young women were married as children.

In 2015 a Bill was passed by the Malawian government that outlawed child marriage. But the new law was undermined by the country’s constitution, which still allowed children to be married from 16, with parental consent.

In partnership with Plan International,meli the youth activists continued their campaign to close this loophole. Together we launched a petition, asking people around the world to stand with young activists and more than 42,000 of you did! Your support made sure their voices were heard and in February 2017 the government approved a bill to make child marriage illegal, for good!
Making Kampala safe for girls

Thousands of you stood with young people in Kampala to make their city safer for everyone. Youth campaigners, Jacklin, Sharon and Zahara asked the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to step up efforts to rid Kampala of all forms of violence and harassment – and the KCCA said yes!

These young women are part of Plan International’s Safer Cities program in Kampala, which has already had success working with local authorities, police and boda boda (motorcycle taxi) drivers to address threats to girls’ safety in the city. The practical steps they’ve asked for in their campaign were drawn from the everyday experiences of girls and young women.

With your signatures in hand, Jacklin, Sharon and Zahara met with the KCCA, and were thrilled when the authority agreed to their demands. They will now work closely with the KCCA as the actions are implemented.
Ending the trafficking of girls in Nepal

Every day, girls are being trafficked within Nepal, across the border into India and overseas. They’re being forcibly taken, coerced, targeted by men posing as their boyfriends and lured with the promise of work and a new life.

Once they’re taken away from their homes, these girls are being sexually exploited in brothels. They’re being forced into child marriage, domestic servitude and to work in clothes factories. They’re being abused for others’ gain, and it has to stop.

That’s why we asked you to share your messages of support with youth advocates Sarita and Sabina and sign their petition, as they campaigned to get their Mayor to take action – and the response was overwhelming, with more than 46,000 of you around the world adding your name.

With your support, Sarita and Sabina asked their Mayor to commit to end the trafficking of girls in Nepal – and he’s agreed to take action. As a result, a new public awareness campaign will be launched, to make sure every girl in their area knows about the risks.